Chapter 77
Chapter 77
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 77
Chapter Title: Rock Giant Hunt (5)
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“Talk about pulling out all the stops. An intelligent monster, huh...”
Were they breeding those things on its body just for hunting?
Suhyun ignored the incoming ones and closed in instead. The gap created by it throwing the vines. He planned to approach in his Power Armor and shove it back.
The venomous bugs and snakes thrown through the exposed cockpit gap fell away without even touching him. The rock giant was stunned at the sight. It was as if an invisible barrier covered the opening.
“?!?!”
The squad members, fretting over what to do from above, witnessed an astonishing scene.
‘Jujitsu in Power Armor?!’
Close-quarters combat in Power Armor wasn’t surprising in itself. Skilled pilots could maximize the suit’s performance to engage monsters up close. But Suhyun’s Power Armor had one arm blown off, and what he was attempting now wasn’t a strike—it was a joint lock.
Suhyun didn’t miss the opening the rock giant had shown. By the time it tried to recover its stance, he had already closed the distance. He lightly dodged its swinging attack, dropped his stance as low as possible, and tackled it from below.
Crash—
A tremendous racket echoed. The moment they connected, Suhyun had used telekinesis to topple it.
‘This much is fine...’
Telekinesis was one of the less flashy superpowers visually. Having a monster’s fist halt blatantly in midair was risky, but toppling it in close range like this gave plenty of plausible deniability.
“Not bad. You were a pain. See ya.”
Stepping on its fallen back, Suhyun raised his spear.
Crunch!
* * *
“I’ll check your condition first. Did it hit you directly anywhere...?”
“You forgetting I’m a healer? Even if I got hurt, it’d be healed by now. More importantly, deal with that corpse. We’re heading back ASAP.”
He had no intention of lugging the massive body around. Since rock giant corpses didn’t rot easily, he planned to stash it somewhere sheltered from the elements and leave it. The kill was more than proven by the video and photos.
“Your Power Armor’s totally trashed.”
“It’s fine. It’s not our money.”
“...”
It was government gear borrowed for official business, so damage didn’t cost them a dime. If they didn’t offer that much convenience, no one would work with the government.
“It’s still mobile, so ride it back as is. Oh, don’t approach that way!”
“Pardon?”
“Almost forgot. Let’s grab that first.”
Suhyun grabbed a vacuum pack and walked over. Keeping the squad back, he approached and spotted the venomous bugs and snakes he’d smacked down with telekinesis earlier, scattered on the ground.
‘A monster that collected all kinds of venomous critters.’
Suhyun started picking them up one by one. The fact that the rock giant had been raising them inside its body was intriguing, but that was for scientists to geek out over—it meant nothing to him. He was collecting them for their poison.
[Poison Arts]
Abairam’s Poison: 0/1
Homep’s Poison: 0/1
Bladsolam’s Poison: 0/1
....
‘When am I ever gonna collect all this?’
The requirements were daunting, but he couldn’t just sit on his hands. He had to gather them bit by bit. Once this job wrapped, he planned to hit the black market too. Running into Seo Kang-seok had been a good wake-up call.
‘I’ve been too focused on the company lately. In the end, the most important thing is my own strength.’
There were plenty of poison handlers out there besides Seo Kang-seok. The scary thing about poison was that if it struck first, even the strongest superpowered user would crumble. No time for complacency—he needed to master it ASAP.
“Ugh, what’s that?”
“Why, want some?”
“You brewing snake wine or something? You’re not even an old-timer...”
“Don’t talk nonsense. All that stuff’s worth money.”
The squad made disgusted faces as they watched Suhyun pack the bugs and snakes, prompting Shaina to scold them.
“Huh? Really?”
“Stuff like that sells for a fortune... Don’t go picking up weird crap to grill and eat—grab shit like this. Aren’t you guys being too complacent compared to the team leader?”
“Cut it out. They’re my team.”
Shaina shut her mouth at Suhyun’s words, but the squad members all hung their heads in shame.
“I’m not expecting full throttle right now, of course. That’d make things easier. But look at Kim Chang-sik—you see it, right? Working with trainees is an investment in the future too. So don’t beat yourselves up over being useless. It just gets in the way.”
“Yes, sir!”
“By the way, Shaina. We should start looking for that Kesika soon...”
Suhyun pulled Shaina aside and whispered.
“Oh, that? Hang on. Forgot to check.”
“?”
“That rock giant had plants growing on top, right? I saw something that looked just like the Kesika earlier.”
“No way it’s that easy...”
Suhyun followed Shaina half-doubting, half-hoping.
“Sorry, I got a bit harsh back there?”
“What’re you talking about?”
“With the team members... Sorry. Wasn’t my place.”
“It’s fine. Wasn’t that harsh, and discipline needed tightening. But don’t do it again. If everyone starts, it sours the vibe.”
“Yeah, got it.”
With that, Shaina leaped onto the rock giant’s shoulder and rummaged around.
“How’s it look?”
“Got it!”
“What?! For real?!”
Suhyun was genuinely shocked to see Shaina emerge clutching a plant in one hand. After all the hassle hunting the giant, it felt like a reward—things falling into place too easily.
“Good job.”
“Bonus...?”
“You bet.”
Suhyun shot Kang In-gyu a burning look. His hands itched to run experiments ASAP.
“Your eyes are scary.”
“Must be your imagination. Alright, pack up and move out! No point sticking around.”
Before leaving, Suhyun scanned the surroundings. The rock giant had been blocking entry to the Euterpe Mountains. Now that it was dead and its weaknesses known, the range wouldn’t stay uncharted.
‘All sorts’ll come swarming in.’
Overall, events were unfolding faster than in his past life. It made Suhyun a tad uneasy. Nothing major had derailed yet, but if the future veered too far off, one of his key advantages might vanish.
‘Not the time to worry about that yet.’
Priority was reporting the rock giant kill and getting government approval.
* * *
A major monster hunt, plus scouting some resource sites. Despite the forced march, their steps were light on the return. Minimal gear loss, zero casualties.
“Hold. Rest break.”
“Already? We’re almost back...”
“The closer to done, the more cautious.”
“???”
“Rest up. I’ll check something quick.”
No one argued with Suhyun’s call.
“If it’s recon, use a drone or... no, I’ll go with you.”
“I said rest.”
Leaving the insistent squad behind, Suhyun moved solo. Seo Kang-seok, watching from afar, flinched.
‘...Did he spot me?’
His orders from Joo Won-jun were simple: tail Uncle Jo Company and figure out their objective. But he’d lost them at the start.
Joo Won-jun didn’t tolerate screw-ups. Seo Kang-seok waited at the loss point, hoping to track their return route. Needed something for an excuse.
‘They went into the mountains.’
That’s all he could glean. He bit his lip.
He had no clue his efforts were pointless. Uncle Jo’s exploits would soon hit the news big-time—no need for tailing.
“Come out.”
“?!?!?!?”
“Slowly. Hand twitches to your waist, I shoot.”
Suhyun aimed dead-on. Seo Kang-seok realized he was made. But how?
“Testing my patience? I said come out.”
Seo Kang-seok rose slowly, hands up.
“Good. Drop the weapon.”
Thud.
“You were tailing us?”
“Yeah.”
Some folks sized each other up from a few words. Seo Kang-seok sensed Suhyun wouldn’t buy lame lies.
“Mind if I ask how you spotted me?”
“You ask how I clocked you in that amateur stealth gear? It was screaming ‘spot me.’”
Suhyun spun his pistol. He’d sensed eyes, moved on instinct—no big expectations—and hooked a big fish. Against Suhyun, who’d chased pros in military stealth gear, Seo Kang-seok was easy prey.
“You know killing you here changes nothing?”
Bonus: no one’d know. In merc circles, tailing got you shot, no complaints. High-stakes game—backstabs were routine.
“...Yeah.”
“Want me to spare you?”
“Not playing your game. Kill me if you want.”
“I could spare you.”
“Sorry, but I’ve got nothing to say.”
“Sharp.”
Truth was, Suhyun’s mind raced more than resolved Seo Kang-seok’s. How to leverage this chance?
He could guess why Seo Kang-seok was here.
‘Joo Won-jun sent him.’
If Joo took interest, he’d probe their purpose. Direct intel blocked?
Joo’d casually send a tail.
‘Hold up. Does that mean Seo Kang-seok’s not awakened yet?’
Joo’s crew wouldn’t waste a superpowered on solo tail. These jobs went to disposable grunts.
Even sans powers, Suhyun rated Seo Kang-seok high—but from future knowledge. Joo undervaluing him now? Not surprising.
Cameron hunter stock, poison expert. Solid, but bland vs. superpowers.
“Not really curious anyway. Joo Won-jun put you up to it.”
“...!”
“Surprised? No biggie. Anyone worth knowing knows Gaon-gil’s Joo Won-jun is a greed machine.”
Seo Kang-seok hid shock behind a stiff face. Joo called him a coiled tiger—claws hidden, but world-shaking when bared.
And this guy knew.
“That punk thinks he’s the smartest in the room. Worth your loyalty?”
“......”
“Got a weakness on him?”
Seo Kang-seok clammed up tight. Loose lips with Suhyun’s type meant getting pinned. Best to stay silent.
“You said kill me earlier, but I’m not that barbaric. Want me to tell you what I’ll do?”
“?”
“Capture you alive first. Then drag you in, file a formal complaint. Say a Gaon-gil squad member tailed us. Whaddya think Joo does? Own it and compensate, or cut you loose?”
Seo Kang-seok’s face drained gray in seconds.
“How’s that? Scarier than a death threat?”
Suhyun knew how to handle Seo Kang-seok types. They’d die for what mattered. Threaten something else.
If Suhyun followed through, no death—but jail, and Joo’d sever all ties to clean house.
“...Please don’t.”
“Didn’t ask for formal speech. Sounds good, though. Keep it up.”
“And my testimony’s worthless. Accuse him, Joo’ll just...”
Suhyun knew. Confession wouldn’t stick. Joo’d claim solo act. Minor face-loss, no real hit.
“I know. Not after a confession.”
“??”
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